About
The Company Profile
Goulburn River Trout is based near Alexandra in the foothills of the Victorian Alps in north east Victoria, Australia. The family-owned company has two farming sites and a centralised processing plant.
Goulburn River Trout is an integrated business responsible for its own trout breeding, grow-out, processing and distribution. A wide range of trout products are produced by Goulburn River Trout, from fresh whole trout through to smoked trout fillets.
The business commenced operations in the 1970s and owes it success to the excellent water quality sourced from the Goulburn River, below Lake Eildon. The regulated flows from Lake Eildon provide a year round supply of fresh, cold, clear water – ideal for growing trout.
History
Goulburn River Trout farm was established in the mid 1970’s by the Leake family on what was originally an old dairy farm. By the mid 1980’s the Leakes, who were pioneers of the Australian trout industry, had successfully established the farm as Australia’s largest producer of trout.
In 1986, Hugh Meggitt bought a property on the Goulburn River known as Walnut Island, with the intention of establishing a new trout farm. After joint venture negotiations, the Leake’s farm and Walnut Island were brought together as Goulburn River Trout with the Meggitts moving to 100% control within a few years.
The two trout farms are approximately 6 kilometres apart, on the Goulburn River, 20 kilometres downstream from Lake Eildon. Goulburn River Trout enjoys the significant advantage of having cold water in summer as a result of irrigation releases from Lake Eildon. This has enabled us to supply top quality fresh, frozen and smoked trout throughout the year. The business is still very much a family business, concentrating on quality products, looking after our environmental responsibilities and servicing our many loyal Australian and international customers.